US marketing name: Savage Cub

TYPE: Tandem-seat ultralight/kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: First flown 1997; public debut at CAP meeting, Capri, Italy, 1999. Initial development of Russo Savage was undertaken in Italy, with parts being manufactured in Czech Republic; entire operation now undertaken in Czech Republic; Czech type approval being sought in late 2003. Available in both ready to fly and kit form.

CURRENT VERSIONS: Savage: As described. Retrospectively designated Savage Classic.
Savage LSA: To US LSA rules as factory-built (Special LSA) or kit (Experimental LSA), latter with Rotax 912, 912S or 914 engine.
Savage Cruiser: Prototype completed mid-2005; modelled on Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser. As Savage, except 106 kt (197 km/h; 122 mph) max level speed; 97 kt (180 km/h; 119 mph) cruising speed; and 475 n mile (880 km; 546 mile) range.
Calao: Marketed in France by ALMS.

CUSTOMERS: Total of some 65 aircraft producted by mid-2005.

COSTS: Kit USD27,000, basic, or USD33,000, advanced, excluding engine; factory-built USD53,200 to 55,000 (Rotax 912 or 912S engine) from North American Sport Aviation (2005).

DESIGN FEATURES: Based on Piper J3 Cub; high, constant-chord wing with V lift struts and auxiliary struts each side; curved fin with dorsal strake; mutually wire-braced empennage; wings fold for storage and transportation. Quoted build time 350 hours. Wing section NACA 4412.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Horn-balanced rudder, cable operated; simple- hinged elevator, pushrod operated. Cable-operated three-position simple flaps (maximum 35°). Manual trim in port elevator. Differential ailerons.

STRUCTURE: Fuselage of 4130 tubular welded steel; two-spar wings of 6061-T6 anodised aluminium; all fabric-covered. Composites engine cowl.

LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; fixed. Two faired-in side Vs hinged to lower longerons, plus half-axles, each with bungee cord shock-absorber, attached to compression frame. Mainwheels typically 8.00-6; tailwheel steerable, 2.50-4. Hydraulic brakes.

POWER PLANT: One 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912 ULS driving a two-blade GT wooden propeller; other Rotax, Limbach and Subaru engines can be fitted. Fuel capacity 68 litres (18.0 US gallons; 15.0 Imp gallons) in two welded aluminium tanks in wingroots.

ACCOMMODATION: Single door on starboard side, Lexan 5006 windscreen and windows.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

  • Wing span: 9.31 m (30 ft 6½ in)
  • Length overall: 6.39 m (20 ft 11½ in)
  • Height overall: 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)

DIMENSIONS, INTERNAL:

  • Cabin max width: 0.69 m (2 ft 3¼ in)

AREAS:

  • Wings, gross: 14.20 m² (152.8 sq ft)

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:

  • Weight empty: 288 kg (635 lb)
  • Max T-O weight: Ultralight: 450 kg (992 lb)
    • Experimental: 540 kg (1,190 lb)

PERFORMANCE:

  • Never-exceed speed (VNE): 110 kt (203 km/h; 127 mph)
  • Max operating speed: 104 kt (192 km/h; 119 mph)
  • Cruising speed at 75% power: 92 kt (170 km/h; 106 mph)
  • Stalling speed, flaps down: 32 kt (58 km/h; 36 mph)
  • Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,100 ft)
  • Max rate of climb at S/L: 288 m (945 ft)/min
  • T-O run: 85 m (280 ft)
  • Landing run: 70 m (230 ft)
  • Range with max fuel: 463 n miles (858 km; 533 miles)
  • g limits (ultimate): +6/-3